BRANNER-AGASSIZ EXPEDITION TO BRAZIL 1 79 



Evermann are in error in ascribing to this species but 49 articulated 

 ravs in the dorsal fin. Cuvier and Valenciennes give the dorsal for- 

 mula as VI, 55, Gunther gives it as VI, 59. Our specimen has the 

 dorsal VI, 59, the anal 55. 



The bright colors which are said to characterize this species in the 

 fresh state are mostly lost in spirits. Our specimen still shows traces 

 of the alternating blue and yellow streaks before the eye. The dorsal 

 and caudal are bright yellow, the dorsal dusky at base. The lower 

 mai-gin of the caudal and the lower half of the upper lobe of the fin 

 are black. The anal has a more reddish tinge, and the pectorals and 

 ventrals are bluish or violet. 



79. Malacoctenus delalandi (Cuvier & Valenciennes). 

 Mouth of the Rio Goyanna. 



So. Labrisomus nuchipinnus (Qiioy & Gainard). 



Stone reef at Mamanguape; coral reef near Maceio. 



Jordan and Evermann are in error in stating that Labrisomus has 

 no palatine teeth, and in the further statement that Z. nuchipinnis 

 has the vomer provided "with a patch of smallish teeth." ^ The facts 

 had been stated by GilP with substantial correctness and in consid- 

 erable detail. I have examined numerous specimens from Brazil, two 

 from Sta. Lucia Island, one from Jamaica, and two from the Canary 

 Islands. The teeth are strong, conic, rather widely spaced, arranged 

 typically in a single angulated series on the vomer and on the anterior 

 portion of the palatines. The anterior vomerine tooth is often 

 enlarged, but in some specimens this is scarcely noticeable. The 

 palatine teeth are usually in small number, there being often not more 

 than two present, sometimes as many as six in the single series. Oc- 

 casionally an inner tooth may be present along the inner side of the 

 palatine series, or there may be two or three, thus forming a double 

 series. The inner teeth are, when present, entirely similar to those of 

 the outer row. This variation has been found in specimens from Brazil 

 and from Sta. Lucia. In the two specimens from the Canary Islands two 

 equally well developed series are present on both palatines, suggesting 

 a permanent condition which may properly be investigated. In the 

 Canary Island specimens there is also present a number of vomerine 

 teeth behind those In the outer row. In two specimens only from the 

 western Atlantic, from Brazil and from Sta. Lucia, respectively, have 

 I found a single vomerine tooth occupying this inner position. 



>See Fishes of North and Middle America, Vol. Ill, pp. 2361-2362, 1898. 

 ^Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1S60, p. 106. 



